Greco to Lead DMA

John A. Greco, Jr., a veteran of research, consumer insight and marketing science at firms including AT&T and Yellow Pages, will be the next president and CEO of the DMA, the direct and interactive marketing industry's largest trade association.

Greco says he plans 'to be a strong advocate for the entire industry as we face myriad political challenges and strategic opportunities, which I believe can be harnessed to advance and grow the direct and interactive marketing industry'. He takes over on August 16 from H. Robert Wientzen, chief for nearly 8 years.

According to Rebecca L. Jewett, Vice Chairman, Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc. and Chairman of the Board, Greco's strengths include 'leadership skills honed at large, complex organizations. While at AT&T Corporation, he led a team of over 100 professionals to create a $20 million leading-edge marketing research facility that directed over $30 million in annual funding... In addition, he has excellent industry and political knowledge - while at the Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association, he spent between 30 and 40 percent of his time on regulatory and legislative initiatives'.

Ms Jewett said there was intense interest in the position, with 'many superbly qualified candidates'. Michael P. Sherman, Vice Chairman, Crosstown Traders, Inc. and Chairman of The DMA's Executive Search Committee which began looking in December 2003, added that 'As a former marketer and technologist, John has an excellent understanding of the key issues facing our business, both on the business-to-consumer and business-to-business sides, and has had considerable involvement with association and nonprofit management'.

Greco spent three years as a design engineer and a market and product manager at RCA Company, then moved in 1977 to AT&T Corporation, where he spent 19 years and held a broad range of marketing and business development positions.

Between 1991 and 1996, Greco served as the director of AT&T's Consumer Laboratory Center of Excellence at AT&T Bell Laboratories and AT&T Consumer Communications Services, managing extensive work understanding the early applications of the Internet, home networks, wireless devices, and interactive television. His leadership of a unique combination of marketing scientists and technology simulation and prototype specialists focused on bringing the 'voice of the consumer' to new product/service and business development processes.

Among other things, AT&T's Consumer Lab worked closely with the MIT Media Lab and other leading laboratories including pioneering work with Disney Imagineering.

Between 1996 and 2000, Greco served as a senior marketing VP at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a world leader in printing and a longtime DMA member.

From 2000 to 2003, Greco served as president and CEO of the Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association where he provided the overall vision for the $25 billion global Yellow Pages industry as well as leadership for the 350-member association, launching the 'I Am' campaign and creating the Yellow Pages Research Institute and the Electronic Yellow Pages Council.

Immediately prior to being named The DMA's CEO, Greco was co-founder of Greco Enterprises LLC, a family holding company. He holds an MBA from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Monmouth University.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.